IP Library Granted Patent US 12,565,078
Granted Patent B2
US 12,565,078 · App. 18/540,916 · Granted Mar 3, 2026

Electric vehicle and thermal manager thereof

Inventors: Bingrong Lin (Zhejiang, CN); Junbo Xu (Zhejiang, CN); Guibin Li (Zhejiang, CN); Haijiang Dai (Zhejiang, CN); Qiang Xue (Zhejiang, CN)
Assignees: Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., LTD.; ZHEJIANG LIANKONG TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
B60H1/00278B60H1/00392B60H2001/00307
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,565,078
App. No.
18/540,916
Granted
Mar 3, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present application provides an electric vehicle and a thermal manager thereof. The thermal manager includes a housing, and a plurality of heat transfer tube sets are accommodated in the housing, and each heat transfer tube set is used for connecting a device; a valve assembly is arranged on a front surface of the housing, and the valve assembly is provided with a plurality of valve ports; each valve port is opposite to and communicates with a second end of at least one heat transfer branch tube in a front-and-rear direction, and the two heat transfer branch tubes in a same set are each in communication with a different valve port; the valve assembly is used to selectively communicate with a different valve port when the thermal manager performs mode switching. The electric vehicle includes a motor, a battery, a radiator and the thermal manager as above.

Claims (41)

1 . A thermal manager of an electric vehicle, comprising a housing, wherein a plurality of heat transfer tube sets are accommodated in the housing, and each heat transfer tube set comprises two heat transfer branch tubes, a first end of a first heat transfer branch tube in a same set is arranged to pass through the housing and is configured to connect an inlet end of a device, and a first end of a second heat transfer branch tube in the same set is arranged to pass through the housing and is configured to connect an outlet end of the same device;

a valve assembly is arranged on a front surface of the housing, and the valve assembly is provided with a plurality of valve ports, each valve port is opposite to and communicated with a second end of at least one heat transfer branch tube in a front-and-rear direction, and the two heat transfer branch tubes in the same set are each communicated with the different valve ports;

the valve assembly is configured to selectively communicate with the different valve ports when the thermal manager performs mode switching, so as to connect and disconnect a heat transfer loop in which a different device is located,

wherein the valve assembly comprises a first side and a second side, and the first side is provided with a first motor valve port and a second motor valve port arranged up and down, and the second side is provided with a first battery valve port and a second battery valve port arranged up and down;

the plurality of heat transfer tube sets comprise a motor set and a battery pack, wherein the battery pack and the motor set are arranged in a same layer, the motor set comprises a first motor branch tube and a second motor branch tube, and the first motor branch tube is configured to communicate the first motor valve port with an outlet end of a motor, and the second motor branch tube is configured to communicate the second motor valve port with an inlet end of the motor;

the battery pack comprises a first battery branch tube and a second battery branch tube, the first battery branch tube is configured to communicate the first battery valve port with an outlet end of a battery, and the second battery branch tube is configured to communicate the second battery valve port with an inlet end of the battery.

2 . The thermal manager of an electric vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the first side is further provided with a first heat dissipation valve port and a second heat dissipation valve port arranged up and down, and the two heat dissipation valve ports are located between the two motor valve ports;

the plurality of heat transfer tube sets further comprise a heat dissipation set, and the heat dissipation set is arranged in a same layer as the motor set and comprises a first heat dissipation branch tube and a second heat dissipation branch tube, and the two heat dissipation branch tubes are located between the two motor branch tubes, the first heat dissipation branch tube is configured to communicate the first heat dissipation valve port with an inlet end of a radiator, and the second heat dissipation branch tube is configured to communicate the second heat dissipation valve port with an outlet end of the radiator.

3 . The thermal manager of an electric vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the first side is further provided with an adapter valve port, the adapter valve port is located between the first heat dissipation valve port and the second heat dissipation valve port, and the adapter valve port is communicated with the second heat dissipation valve port through an adapter tube, and the adapter tube is arranged in a same layer as the heat dissipation set;

the valve assembly is configured to communicate the first motor valve port and the first heat dissipation valve port when the radiator is working, and the valve assembly is further configured to communicate the adapter valve port with the first motor valve port when the radiator is not working.

4 . The thermal manager of an electric vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the front surface of the housing is further provided with a water-cooled condenser, and the plurality of heat transfer tube sets further comprise a condensation set;

the condensation set comprises a first condensation branch tube, the first condensation branch tube is located on a rear side of the first motor branch tube, and a first end of the first condensation branch tube is communicated with an outlet end of the water-cooled condenser, the first motor valve port, a second end of the first motor branch tube and a second end of the first condensation branch tube are opposite to and communicated with each other in sequence in a front-and-rear direction; and/or

the front surface of the housing is provided with a motor water pump, the motor water pump is located on the first side of the valve assembly, and an inlet end of the motor water pump is opposite to and communicated with the second motor branch tube in a front-and-rear direction, the motor water pump is provided with a first motor water pump outlet end and a second motor water pump outlet end, and the first motor water pump outlet end is configured to communicate with the inlet end of the motor;

the first side is further provided with a first condensation valve port and a second condensation valve port, and the condensing set comprises a second condensation branch tube, a third condensation branch tube and a fourth condensation branch tube, the second condensation branch tube and the third condensation branch tube are arranged in a same layer as the motor set, and the fourth condensation branch tube is located on a rear side of the motor set, the second condensation branch tube is configured to communicate the first condensation valve port with an outlet end of the second motor water pump, and the second condensation valve port, the third condensation branch tube and the fourth condensation branch tube are opposite to and communicated with each other in a front-and-rear direction, and the fourth condensation branch tube is communicated with an inlet end of the water-cooled condenser;

the valve assembly is configured to communicate the first condensation valve port and the second condensation valve port when the water-cooled condenser dissipates heat through the radiator.

5 . The thermal manager of an electric vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the second side is further provided with a first heat exchange valve port and a second heat exchange valve port;

a rear surface of the housing is provided with a battery cooler, and the plurality of heat transfer tube sets further comprise a flat layer set and a heat exchange set, wherein the flat layer set is in a same layer as the motor set, and the flat layer set comprises a first flat layer branch tube and a second flat layer branch tube, the heat exchange set is located at a rear side of the motor set, and the heat exchange set comprises a first heat exchange branch tube and a second heat exchange branch tube, the first heat exchange valve port, the first flat layer branch tube and the first heat exchange branch tube are opposite to and communicated with each other in sequence in a front-and-rear direction, and the second heat exchange valve port, the second flat layer branch tube and the second heat exchange branch tube are opposite to and communicated with each other in sequence in a front-and-rear direction, the first heat exchange branch tube is communicated with an inlet end of the battery cooler, and the second heat exchange branch tube is communicated with an outlet end of the battery cooler.

6 . The thermal manager of an electric vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the second side is further provided with a first heat exchange valve port and a second heat exchange valve port;

a rear surface of the housing is provided with a battery cooler, and the plurality of heat transfer tube sets further comprise a flat layer set and a heat exchange set, wherein the flat layer set is in a same layer as the motor set, and the flat layer set comprises a first flat layer branch tube and a second flat layer branch tube, the heat exchange set is located at a rear side of the motor set, and the heat exchange set comprises a first heat exchange branch tube and a second heat exchange branch tube, the first heat exchange valve port, the first flat layer branch tube and the first heat exchange branch tube are opposite to and communicated with each other in sequence in a front-and-rear direction, and the second heat exchange valve port, the second flat layer branch tube and the second heat exchange branch tube are opposite to and communicated with each other in sequence in a front-and-rear direction, the first heat exchange branch tube is communicated with an inlet end of the battery cooler, and the second heat exchange branch tube is communicated with an outlet end of the battery cooler.

7 . The thermal manager of an electric vehicle according to claim 3 , wherein the second side is further provided with a first heat exchange valve port and a second heat exchange valve port;

a rear surface of the housing is provided with a battery cooler, and the plurality of heat transfer tube sets further comprise a flat layer set and a heat exchange set, wherein the flat layer set is in a same layer as the motor set, and the flat layer set comprises a first flat layer branch tube and a second flat layer branch tube, the heat exchange set is located at a rear side of the motor set, and the heat exchange set comprises a first heat exchange branch tube and a second heat exchange branch tube, the first heat exchange valve port, the first flat layer branch tube and the first heat exchange branch tube are opposite to and communicated with each other in sequence in a front-and-rear direction, and the second heat exchange valve port, the second flat layer branch tube and the second heat exchange branch tube are opposite to and communicated with each other in sequence in a front-and-rear direction, the first heat exchange branch tube is communicated with an inlet end of the battery cooler, and the second heat exchange branch tube is communicated with an outlet end of the battery cooler.

8 . The thermal manager of an electric vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein the second side is further provided with a first heat exchange valve port and a second heat exchange valve port;

a rear surface of the housing is provided with a battery cooler, and the plurality of heat transfer tube sets further comprise a flat layer set and a heat exchange set, wherein the flat layer set is in a same layer as the motor set, and the flat layer set comprises a first flat layer branch tube and a second flat layer branch tube, the heat exchange set is located at a rear side of the motor set, and the heat exchange set comprises a first heat exchange branch tube and a second heat exchange branch tube, the first heat exchange valve port, the first flat layer branch tube and the first heat exchange branch tube are opposite to and communicated with each other in sequence in a front-and-rear direction, and the second heat exchange valve port, the second flat layer branch tube and the second heat exchange branch tube are opposite to and communicated with each other in sequence in a front-and-rear direction, the first heat exchange branch tube is communicated with an inlet end of the battery cooler, and the second heat exchange branch tube is communicated with an outlet end of the battery cooler.

9 . The thermal manager of an electric vehicle according to claim 5 , wherein the first flat layer branch tube is configured to communicate the first heat exchange valve port with an outlet end of a controller, the flat layer set further comprises a third flat layer branch tube, a first end of the third flat layer branch tube is communicated with an end of the first battery branch tube away from the first battery valve port, and a second end of the third flat layer branch tube is configured to communicate with an inlet end of the controller.

10 . The thermal manager of an electric vehicle according to claim 6 , wherein the first flat layer branch tube is configured to communicate the first heat exchange valve port with an outlet end of a controller, the flat layer set further comprises a third flat layer branch tube, a first end of the third flat layer branch tube is communicated with an end of the first battery branch tube away from the first battery valve port, and a second end of the third flat layer branch tube is configured to communicate with an inlet end of the controller.

11 . The thermal manager of an electric vehicle according to claim 7 , wherein the first flat layer branch tube is configured to communicate the first heat exchange valve port with an outlet end of a controller, the flat layer set further comprises a third flat layer branch tube, a first end of the third flat layer branch tube is communicated with an end of the first battery branch tube away from the first battery valve port, and a second end of the third flat layer branch tube is configured to communicate with an inlet end of the controller.

12 . The thermal manager of an electric vehicle according to claim 8 , wherein the first flat layer branch tube is configured to communicate the first heat exchange valve port with an outlet end of a controller, the flat layer set further comprises a third flat layer branch tube, a first end of the third flat layer branch tube is communicated with an end of the first battery branch tube away from the first battery valve port, and a second end of the third flat layer branch tube is configured to communicate with an inlet end of the controller.

13 . The thermal manager of an electric vehicle according to claim 5 , wherein the second side is further provided with a first electric heating valve port and a second electric heating valve port;

the plurality of heat transfer tube sets further comprise an electric heating set, which comprises a first electric heating branch tube, a second electric heating branch tube and a third electric heating branch tube, wherein the first electric heating branch tube is configured to communicate the first electric heating valve port with an outlet end of an electric heater, and the second electric heating branch tube is configured to communicate the second electric heating valve port with an inlet end of a warm air core, the third electric heating branch tube is configured to communicate the outlet end of the warm air core with an inlet end of the electric heater.

14 . The thermal manager of an electric vehicle according to claim 6 , wherein the second side is further provided with a first electric heating valve port and a second electric heating valve port;

the plurality of heat transfer tube sets further comprise an electric heating set, which comprises a first electric heating branch tube, a second electric heating branch tube and a third electric heating branch tube, wherein the first electric heating branch tube is configured to communicate the first electric heating valve port with an outlet end of an electric heater, and the second electric heating branch tube is configured to communicate the second electric heating valve port with an inlet end of a warm air core, the third electric heating branch tube is configured to communicate the outlet end of the warm air core with an inlet end of the electric heater.

15 . The thermal manager of an electric vehicle according to claim 7 , wherein the second side is further provided with a first electric heating valve port and a second electric heating valve port;

the plurality of heat transfer tube sets further comprise an electric heating set, which comprises a first electric heating branch tube, a second electric heating branch tube and a third electric heating branch tube, wherein the first electric heating branch tube is configured to communicate the first electric heating valve port with an outlet end of an electric heater, and the second electric heating branch tube is configured to communicate the second electric heating valve port with an inlet end of a warm air core, the third electric heating branch tube is configured to communicate the outlet end of the warm air core with an inlet end of the electric heater.

16 . The thermal manager of an electric vehicle according to claim 13 , wherein the first heat exchange valve port is located between the first battery valve port and the second battery valve port, and the second heat exchange valve port is located below the second motor valve port, and the second side is further provided with a third battery valve port, the third battery valve port, the first electric heating valve port and the second electric heating valve port are arranged below the second heat exchange valve port in sequence from top to bottom;

the first heat exchange branch tube has a first heat exchange outlet end and a second heat exchange outlet end, the first heat exchange outlet end is communicated with the inlet end of the battery cooler, and the second heat exchange outlet end is communicated with the inlet end of the electric heater, the second flat layer branch tube is arranged in a vertical direction, a first end of the second flat layer branch tube is opposite to and communicated with the second heat exchange valve port in a front-and-rear direction, and a second end of the second flat layer branch tube is opposite to and communicated with the third battery valve port in a front-and-rear direction;

the valve assembly is configured to communicate the first electric heating valve port with the third battery valve port, and the first electric heating valve port with the second electric heating valve port when a battery is heated by the electric heater, and allocate a ratio of flows into the third battery valve port and the second electric heating valve port from the first electric heating valve port.

17 . The thermal manager of an electric vehicle according to claim 16 , wherein the third electric heating branch tube is arranged on the rear side of the motor set, and the front surface of the housing is further provided with an electric heating water pump, the third electric heating branch tube and the second heat exchange outlet end of the first heat exchange branch tube are communicated in parallel to an inlet end of the electric heating water pump, and an outlet end of the electric heating water pump is communicated with the inlet end of the electric heater; and/or

the first electric heating branch tube comprises a first part and a second part, the first part is located on the rear side of the motor set, the second part is in a same layer as the motor set, and the second part and the first part are opposite to and communicated with each other in a front-and-rear direction, and the second part and the first electric heating valve port are opposite to and communicated with each other in a front-and-rear direction.

18 . The thermal manager of an electric vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the housing is further provided with a water storage area, the water storage area is located above the heat transfer tube sets and is configured to replenish water for the heat transfer tube sets; and/or

the housing is further provided with a gas-liquid separator, a part of an air conditioning line, a stop valve and an expansion valve.

19 . An electric vehicle, comprising a motor, a battery, a radiator and the thermal manager according to claim 1 .

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ADDRESS OF FIRST ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 066063 FRAME: 0177. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Feb 2, 2024
From: LIN, BINGRONG; XU, JUNBO; LI, GUIBIN; DAI, HAIJIANG; XUE, QIANG
To: ZHEJIANG GEELY HOLDING GROUP CO., LTD.; ZHEJIANG LIANKONG TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD
Reel/Frame 066488/0643 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2023
From: LIN, BINGRONG; XU, JUNBO; LI, GUIBIN; DAI, HAIJIANG; XUE, QIANG
To: ZHEJIANG GEELY HOLDING GROUP CO., LTD.; ZHEJIANG LIANKONG TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD
Reel/Frame 066063/0177 →
Priority Claims (1)
CN 202111138848.7 · Sep 27, 2021 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTCN2022093210 · May 17, 2022
Related Publication 20240116326A1 · Apr 11, 2024
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